Not asking for Lokayukta`s mining report: Bhardwaj

Bangalore: Karnataka Governor HR Bhardwaj
said on Wednesday he is not asking the Lokayukta Justice Santosh
Hegde, to submit to him his final report on illegal mining in
the State.

Bhardwaj said since the matter was referred to Hegde by
the Government, he has to give his report to it along with his
recommendations.

"There is one eventuality...that is.. anything is to be
done on the part of the Governor...then he can definitely send
it (to the Governor).Otherwise, this report he has to send it
to the Government, not me", the Governor told reporters in the
district headquarters town of Mysore in response to questions.

Explaining the "legal position", Bhardwaj, who shared an
uneasy relation with Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and has
been at loggerheads at times, said once the report is given to
the Government, "there will be period given to the Government
to accept or reject those recommendations".

Noting that since he (Bhardwaj) has not referred the matter
to the Lokayukta, he is "not a party to this whole thing...it
relates to mining and related matters".

"So, there have been comments from Hegde from time to
time that he may send (the report to the Governor), may not
send. I am not asking (him) to send", Bhardwaj, who had twice
recommended President`s Rule in the State in the past but
without success, said.

On Sunday, the Governor, perceived in some quarters of
BJP as being hostile to the government, said he would send a
report to President Pratibha Patil once the mining report
"comes on record".

Hegde`s leaked report on illegal mining has indicted
Yeddyurappa, triggering a political storm.